About 4,563 youths in Ondo state have been trained in modern agriculture through various youth development programmes of the state. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Olayato Aribo when he was hosted by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Akure.
He said, “Some of our youths have been empowered because we discovered that there is a gap between our old farmers and young farmers; the youths are not interested in farming. So we want to encourage them.
“We are training them and also empowering them. Currently, we encourage young farmers to bring their produce to the ministry to sell directly to consumers. We hold this event on Thursdays. As we are here now, it is ongoing.”
Aribo said the government has engaged a company to hire tractors to clear land for farmers in the state. According to him, the state government is committed to massive food production to address food shortage challenges.
Aribo said, “Today, we have one functional tractor working in the ministry. Unlike in the North, where we have savanna, here, tractors cannot enter the forest.
“We need bulldozers to clear the forest. We intend to do a thorough job. We need bulldozers to remove all the trees and stumps, which is why we need an equipment hiring company.
“We have discussed and agreed with them. Every farmer knows the cost of “tractorisation” per hectare. We promise a 25 per cent discount. We have identified lands we can use and discussed with institutions that have large land masses.”
When asked about the reason for engaging a tractor company when some tractors were parked at the Government House, Akure, the commissioner explained, “I am not aware of any tractor parked at the Government House.”
The commissioner also disclosed that the government, under the immediate past administration of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, sold all the tractors owned by the state to private companies and individuals at subsidised rates.
He said: “During the administration of the late Governor Akeredolu, we bought 30 tractors. These tractors were sold to companies and individuals at subsidised rates. Most of those tractors are now outside the state. They are no longer owned by the government. Some people have bought them, and some are paying gradually. The state now owns only one tractor.”
“However, we will still buy tractors, but it is better we start immediately by engaging this (hiring) company to provide us with tractors. We are in a hurry to produce food,” Aribo explained.